Blog

Is following our self-interest the highest goal? And what links St Paul, Aslan, and the 1st Marquis of Halifax?
Well, the answer to the second question is this short reflective piece by SPEAK friend Mike Bourne. And you'll have to read it to find out the rest...

The SPEAK Network is a dynamic network of Christian students and young adults, who pray and campaign for Global Justice. With creative campaigns like the 'Big Dress', we seek to inspire groups and individuals to speak out in situations which are unjust. We host annual gatherings, training events, and take part in both Christian and Non-Christian festivals.

Remember the blue 'Dehumanising Destruction' drones Pray & post card? Well the recent increase in media and parliamentary attention towards drones are the fruit of SPEAK's campaign for greater transparency in this area, so a reason to be thankful! Yet our work is for from over, as Fellowship of Reconciliation's Jessica Dalton-Cheetham explains for us here...

We're currently creating a new SPEAK campaign on agribusiness to launch at Soundcheck 2013. In order to do so, we've created a working paper on Food Sovereignty open to the whole network to discuss. One response is posted here...

Soundcheck 2013 is steadily approaching and loads of you have already registered your place for the SPEAK Networks annual gathering. It’s gearing up to be a fantastic weekend of fellowship packed with inspiring talks, workshops and live music.

Do you wish there were people in your area you could meet with to pray and campaign? Do you have a group of friends who are interested, but don't know where to start? Or maybe you host a regular SPEAK group, but you'd like to get more people involved? Then read on...

The Bardic Tour Speak-athon has, over the last year, been seeking to integrate Speak values. It has been gaining momentum with people across the network, who have been getting on their bikes to raise money for the Speak related projects. We are now moving into the second phase of the Bardic Tour...

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Are you looking for an opportunity to live out the values you care about? Do you want to give some of your time to supporting other members of the SPEAK Network? Join the Network Support Team, and share your skills with groups and links around the country!

A SPEAK campaign against the injustices of agribusiness was first suggested at Flower Model in November 2010. We're now looking forward to launching a campaign on this issue at Soundcheck 2013, but in order to do so, SPEAK needs everyone's input! The coming weeks present a chance for all of us to feed into this working paper, exploring the ties between our faith and the ideology of Food Sovereignty. So, come have a read and have your say!

On 26th October, we published a letter from the MoD in response to our 'Dehumanising Destruction' Pray&Post (calling from greater parliamentary scrutiny into the UK's use of unmanned armed drones). Since this was a Network-wide campaign, we'd like as many of you as possible to write a letter in response!
This blog will give you some helpful knowledge and counter-arguments to build your letter. If there is something we have missed, do put it in too!

If you’re a SPEAK veteran, you’ll hardly be surprised by the network’s ongoing desire to be a grass-roots led movement; it’s for this reason that the network’s bi-annual, inclusive, participatory forum –aka ‘Flower Model’ – continues to be a vital element of the network’s make-up. Last weekend, a mix of SPEAK-ers from across the UK gathered at Desmond Tutu House, Bradford, to continue SPEAK’s exciting tradition of dreaming big dreams and planning for the future ahead.

Last week members of SPEAK London put together a Cabaret of music & comedy to raise money for the Network. With a bit of work and know-how, it's possible to raise a decent sum that all helps to keeping SPEAK going - could you do it?

One of SPEAK's major campaigns over the years has been a call for greater corporate responsibility; as a network we intend to call on government and business to create fairer rules for workers and producers alike. Mike Bourne takes a look at how changing market objectives would create a more natural and spontaneous was of life.

Signed the SQUEEZED pray & post card to speak up for underpaid farmers? Biting your nails in anxiety over whether it's enough? Want to do some extra to lobby the Government for justice? Look no further...

Twice a year, members of the SPEAK Network come together to dream dreams, plan plans and look to the future of the network. We call it 'Flower Model' because we want to function like a single organism, drawing strength and life from all of the constituent parts. If you'd like to get more involved in planning and growing the network, join us 17th to 18th November, at Desmond Tutu House in Bradford.

SPEAK is a network of students and young adults who campaign and pray on issues of justice.
This network is supported by a charitable trust which supplies justice education, training events and resources: SPEAK Network, Events, Support & Training Registered Charity no. 1112979.
The network is also supported by a company, which does further awareness raising campaigns: SPEAK Network Ltd. Registered in England & Wales no. 3922047.